R.A.F. DAYLIGHT RAIDS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23751, 24 September 1942, Page 5

R.A.F. DAYLIGHT RAIDS

TARGETS IN HOLLAND AND FRANCE ENEMY AIRCRAFT OVER ENGLAND (Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON. Sept. 23. In daylight yesterday Bostons of the Royal Air Force attacked German factories and other industrial targets in France and Holland, including power stations and iron and steel plants. Two bombers were lost in the attacks, and one fighter is missing from offensive patrols. There was slight enemy activity yesterday over the south-east coast of England. Bombs dropped at one place caused some damage and a small number of casualties.

AIRCRAFT UNLOADED AT GIBRALTAR

LONDON, Sept. 22. The Vichy radio states that observers at La Linea report that 200 aeroplanes which were unloaded from ships at Gibraltar in the last four days flew east after assembly. In addition, in the same period, about 50 bombers landed at Gibraltar, refuelled and flew on eastward. Nine Flying Fortresses took off to the east this morning.

WAR ENDING IN STALEMATE

REPORTED GERMAN BELIEF (Rec. 10.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, Sept. 22. The New York “Sun" gives the following estimate of the present state of public opinion in Germany and France, furnished by travellers reaching Switzerland:— "(1). Well-informed and thoughtful Germans do not believe Germany can possibly win the war; (2) the belief prevails that the war will end in a stalemate; (3) confidence in Hitler as a superman waned when he began making excuses for the events preceding the attack on Russia, and his strategy in attacking Russia and leaving his other flank exposed to attack from Britain is continuously questioned; (4) the United States’ entry into the war has lowered German confidence in ultimate victory, providing the prime reason for the belief that a stalemate is inevitable. “(5) M. Laval’s closest friends dedare that his collaborationist attitude arises from his desire to be the great mediator in the war who will achieve peace, after which the French will forgive his pro-German acts; (6) some informed persons in France and Germany still believe that an appeasement group will arise in the United States to help the acceptance of a stalemate.”

BURNED TO DEATH

AXIS CHILD INTERNEES SALISBURY (Southern Rhodesia), Sept. 22. Eight German and Italian child internees from Tanganyika were burned to death and four children and two teachers were critically burned when a kindergarten caught fire. Some of the children escaped through a window, but others were trapped behind a blazing door. The thatched rpof fell in before the fire brigade arrived.

FRENCH WORKERS GO TO GERMANY

(Rec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 23. The Paris radio says, that 550 French workers, including skilled chemical workers, left Paris yesterday for Germany. This is the second batch of such workers to go to Germany.

NEGROES CHARGED WITH SEDITION JAPANESE PLOT IN U.S. CHICAGO, Sept. 22. The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, which has announced the arrest of 81 negroes for alleged sedition and violation of the selective service laws, has disclosed a widespread plot instituted several years ago by Japanese fifth columnists to win the allegiance of American negroes. The arrested negroes were members of three religious cults which allegedly teach that the negroes owe allegiance to the Japanese because of racial ties. Mr Albert Johnson, chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Chicago, said that the three groups were outgrowths of the notorious Black Dragon Society which was founded in 1939 by Takajashi, of the Japanese Imperial Intelligence. One organisation is the Peace Movement of Ethiopia, headed by Madame Maud Lena Gordon. It boasts a membership of 4,000,000 negroes. Madame Gordon claims that the mem. bers are citizens of Liberia and as such belong to the same race as the Japanese.

The Chicago District Attorney (Mr J. A. Woll). said that the obvious objective of the plot was to create a force of American negroes and Orientals. faithful to Japan, which could be utilised by the Japanese armed forces in the event of an invasion of the United States. Mr Woll said that the majority of negroes were patriotic Ibis group, and it was a vicious one. was a small percentage of the whole.

Twenty-four Drowned When Launch Founders.—A picnic to celebrate the completion of a war contract at a Midland (Ontario) foundry ended tragically when a large motor-launch unaccountably foundered, drowning 24 of the 41 persons aboard. None of the survivors had any clear idea of what happened, because they were all suddenly thrown into icy water when the launch listed, then righted, and went down like a stone.—Midland (Ontario). September 22 U.S. Ships Sunk in Malta Convoy.— It is reported from Washington that two of the ships sunk in the recent convoy to Malta were United States merchantmen Only two lives were lost in both ships.—London, September 22.